Yemen in Crisis : Autocracy, Neo-Liberalism and the Disintegration of a State

Yemen is in the grip of its most severe crisis in years. The struggle for power in the Arab world’s poorest but strategically vital nation has serious implications for the region and beyond. In this invaluable analysis, Helen Lackner uncovers the social and political conflicts that threaten the very survival of the state and its people. ‘A superb book written by an outstanding author whose knowledge of Yemen is unparalleled... an indispensable guide.’ Dr Noel Brehony CMG, former Chairman British-Yemeni Society; ‘An outstanding book that provides answers to all of the questions raised by Yemen’s many crises since 2011. Written with compassion and insight.’ Eugene Rogan, University of Oxford; ‘An eminently valuable account of Yemen’s modern history and current travails.’ Roger Owen, Harvard University 'Written with compassion and insight, Lackner confirms her standing as the foremost authority on Yemeni politics at work today.'- Eugene Rogan The democratic promise of Yemen's 2011 uprising quickly unravelled, triggering a shocking political and social crisis with serious implications for the future of the country and region. Fuelled by Arab and Western intervention, the infighting in Yemen descended into civil war, with thousands killed and millions facing starvation and deep social and political fragmentation. Suffering from a collapsed economy, the people of Yemen now face a desperate choice between the Huthi rebels on the one side and, on the other, a range of forces propped up by a Saudi-led coalition fed by Western arms. In this incisive, invaluable analysis, Helen Lackner uncovers the roots of the conflicts threatening the very survival of the Yemeni state and its people. This updated edition features a new preface and a new chapter on the problems of humanitarian aid in the country. 'Brimming with erudition and rich in analysis, Yemen in Crisis offers invaluable insight to seasoned observers and newcomers to the region alike.' - Moustafa Bayoumi 'An eminently valuable account of Yemen's modern history and current travails by someone who has made it her life's work to understand the country and its people.' - Roger Owen, Harvard University 'This timely book analyzes the deep roots of the crisis that gripped Yemen even before the destructive war against it created the world's worst humanitarian crisis. Lackner is superbly equipped to trace the causes for the failure and collapse of the Yemeni state, under the inexorable pressures of neo-liberalism and regional and global rivalries.' - Rashid Khalidi, Edward Said Professor of Arab Studies at Columbia University 'A matchless geopolitical profile of the country, its history, its economic structures, and above all, its people.' - Tariq Ali, New Left Review This book is the best compact presentation of the background and dynamics of the social and political explosion that turned Yemen into the worst humanitarian crisis of today's world.' - Gilbert Achcar Yemen is in the grip of its most severe crisis in years. The civil war between the Huthi rebels and the Western and Arab supporters of the regime has resulted in thousands killed and three million displaced. Those who remain suffer severe food shortages and a collapsed economy. The struggle for power in the Arab world's poorest but strategically vital nation has serious implications for the region and beyond. While Egypt and Saudi Arabia fear that a Huthi takeover would threaten free passage of oil through the Bab al-Mandab strait, western governments fear a rise of attacks from al-Qa'ida and IS as the country becomes more unstable. In this invaluable analysis, Helen Lackner uncovers the social and political conflicts that threaten the very survival of the state and its people. She reveals the corruption of the country's US-backed autocratic regime and how it failed to address national impoverishment and to plan an equitable economy for Yemen's growing population. "Title"--"Copyright"--"Contents" -- "Maps" -- "Glossary" -- "Note on Transliteration and Abbreviations" -- "Timeline" -- "Preface" -- "1. How the 2011 Uprising and the Transition Led to War 33" -- "2. Yemen and the World" -- "3. The Two Yemeni Republics and Unification" -- "4. Islamism: Reality and Myth" -- "5. The Huthi Movement: From Nowhere to Centre Stage 147" -- "6. Southern Separatism in Perspective" -- "7. From Tribes to Elites" -- "8. Resources Scarcity and Their Capture: Matters of Life and Death" -- "9. The Economy" -- "10. The Rural-Urban Nexus" -- "Conclusion: Whither Yemen?" -- "Notes" -- "Select Bibliography and Further Reading This is the definitive, readable study by eminent expert Helen Lackner revealing the conflicts that threaten Yemen's very survival.